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GPT Image 3

GPT Image 3 is a guessed name for OpenAI's next image model, based on aurora alpha models spotted in its API.

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What is GPT Image 3?

OpenAI has not announced GPT Image 3, and the name is a guess.

Over the weekend of October 17 and 18, 2026, models named aurora-red-alpha, aurora-green-alpha and aurora-blue-alpha appeared in OpenAI's API model list and were reported pulled within hours, according to TestingCatalog and several users on X. An Arena tester then matched two of them to image battles and called them "probably GPT-Image-3," which OpenAI has not confirmed. OpenAI's newest released image model is GPT Image 2.5, launched on September 8, 2026.

Provider
OpenAI
Quality
To be confirmed
Aspect ratios
To be confirmed

What GPT Image 3 could bring

  • A fast tier and a quality tier may be part of the design

    in Arena battles, aurora-red was faster with lower quality and aurora-green was slower with better-looking images

  • Detailed output and good-looking comic-style images were reported for aurora-blue by the Chinese outlet Xinzhiyuan, based on a few shared samples

  • It could extend the split GPT Image 2.5 already has between Flare for fast images and Sunburst for precise edits

  • Higher quality than GPT Image 2.5 is possible, but OpenAI has published no docs, benchmarks or pricing

Prompting tips until GPT Image 3 lands

  • On GPT Image 2.5 today, start on Flare at medium quality to find the image, then switch to Sunburst or a higher quality for the final.
  • For edits, say what must stay the same before you say what should change.
  • Put any text in quotes and name its position, such as 'title across the top in a serif font'.

Where GPT Image 3 could fit

  • Quick everyday images, if a fast tier ships

  • Precise edits and detailed illustrations, if a quality tier ships

  • Comics and text-heavy graphics, if early reports hold up

How GPT Image 3 compares

GPT Image 3 compared with other image models on Flashloop
ModelTop resolutionAspect ratiosPlan
GPT Image 3Coming soonTo be confirmedTo be confirmedAll plans
Nano Banana Pro4K1:1, 3:2, 2:3 +2All plans
Nano Banana 2.14K1:1, 2:3, 3:2 +11All plans
Flux 24MP (2048x2048)1:1, 3:2, 2:3 +2All plans
Seedream 5.0 Lite4K1:1, 3:2, 2:3 +2All plans

Good to know before you generate

  • Not announced by OpenAI, and we found no OpenAI staff post mentioning a new image model
  • The name is a guess; it could ship as GPT Image 2.6 or under another name
  • No release date or API access

Until GPT Image 3 lands on Flashloop

Create with GPT Image 2.5 today

Questions about GPT Image 3

Has OpenAI announced GPT Image 3?

No. OpenAI has published no docs, pricing or posts about it. The name comes from testers guessing what the aurora alpha models that appeared in its API model list over the weekend of October 17 and 18, 2026, might be.

When will GPT Image 3 come out?

OpenAI has given no date. A third-party tracker counted about two weeks between anonymous test models and GPT Image 2, and about a month before GPT Image 2.5. If the aurora models follow that pattern, a release in early to mid November 2026 is possible. On October 23, 2026, Polymarket's "Next GPT Image Model (2.6+) released by Dec 31, 2026" market was around 40%, but with only $36 traded it says little.

What are aurora-red, aurora-green and aurora-blue?

Three model names that appeared in OpenAI's API model list over the weekend of October 17 and 18, 2026, and were reported pulled within hours. Testers then saw red and green in Arena image battles, with red faster and green better looking. Design Arena also showed three unlinked models called Aspen, Cypress and Maple. Xinzhiyuan noted that an anonymous speed-focused model called "Aurora Alpha" appeared on OpenRouter in February, days before OpenAI's GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark, so the names alone prove little.

Will it be called GPT Image 3 or GPT Image 2.6?

Nobody outside OpenAI knows. OpenAI went from GPT Image 2 to 2.5, so a 2.6 or another point release is as plausible as a 3.

Can I use GPT Image on Flashloop now?

Yes. GPT Image 2.5, with its Flare and Sunburst variants, and GPT Image 2 are live on Flashloop, with up to 16 reference images on GPT Image 2.5.

More image models on Flashloop

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